Post Arrays as Topological Templates

Randall D. Kamien, Kathleen Stebe and Shu Yang

Is it true that only a princess can detect a pea placed under many layers of mattresses? No! Smectic liquid crystals with nanometer scale layers can feel the effects of a patterned boundary 5-10 times deeper into the sample than the size of the “peas.” Instead of bruising the princess, this long range effect can be used to control and form three-dimensional, exquisitely ordered materials.

left: Layers of smectic liquid crystal filling up a “bed of nails” right: The lattice of dimples reflects the underlying lattice of posts in both symmetry and dimension, demonstrating control of these materials for optical applications